Chapter 431: Each Gains Their Reward

After speaking, the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian added, "But before leaving, could you wait for me a moment? I have some matters to attend to."

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou, upon seeing the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian draw forth the broken sword, immediately understood his intent.

The "sword" had recognized the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian as its master; the sword belonged to its master, meaning the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian had inherited the master's legacy—between them, the former was, in a sense, the latter's half-disciple.

A disciple bowing to his master and tidying the grave is perfectly normal.

"Master, Tianxie here receives your gift of the sword. Please accept this bow from me in gratitude—I shall strive diligently on the Sword Dao and never bring shame to the name of 'Sword.'"

The Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian placed the broken sword before the tombstone and began meticulously tidying the grave.

He filled the exploded mound with handfuls of soil, pulled out the surrounding weeds, just as a mourner would clean an elder's grave.

After finishing, he took out a wine cup, drank one himself, then poured another onto the grave.

Just as he bowed his head before the tombstone,

the dried blood congealed upon the broken sword dissolved, mingling with the light emitted by the inscriptions on the tombstone, forming indescribable divine symbols—characters one after another, swirling around the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian like dragons and phoenixes circling.

The Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian froze in place.

"Senior Sword Immortal!"

Gao Xiang Hong was startled and moved to approach, but the First Immortal of Jiuzhou raised a hand to stop him.

"No need to go near—he's fine."

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou pointed at the Sword Immortal and said, "Look at his face—no trace of fear or tension. He looks serene. This isn't danger—it's a great fortune."

In his tone, the First Immortal of Jiuzhou made no effort to hide his envy, filled with deep emotion.

Hearing this, Gao Xiang Hong suddenly understood—the Sword Immortal Senior hadn't merely received the master's sword; now, by bowing before the grave, he had earned the master's recognition and received the master's legacy—a great fortune that even immortals and gods would envy until their eyes turned purple.

"It seems we can't return just yet—the Sword Immortal's acceptance of the legacy will take some time."

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou watched the Sword Immortal, then withdrew his envious gaze and casually took out some immortal fruits from his storage ring.

We've been here long enough—it's time to eat something.

In truth, the First Immortal of Jiuzhou and the others no longer needed to eat; having reached this level, they had transcended the need for food. But Gao Xiang Hong still had to eat—any being below the seventh realm of life required sustenance.

Moreover, not eating doesn't mean not wanting to eat. Eating is one of humanity's great pleasures. Even members like the First Immortal of Jiuzhou, the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian, and Kamikawa Mitsu, though they had become immortals or demons, never forgot the joy of a meal.

Gao Xiang Hong took the immortal fruit, glanced at the endless graves scattered around, and the pitch-black sky above like night—he couldn't help but let out a bitter laugh.

"Eating dinner atop a grave—first time ever."

Unconsciously, he remembered the group's notorious troublemaker, the Miti Dasheng Jun Miti.

While waiting for the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian's legacy, Gao Xiang Hong teased, "Senior Immortal, what do you think the Miti Dasheng Jun would do if he were here? Would he be tempted to act up?"

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou sat cross-legged on the ground, bit into a juicy, delicious immortal fruit, and laughed in reply:

"If the Miti Dasheng Jun came here, he'd definitely act up—he'd probably dig up graves. Even if he didn't dig, I bet he'd still leave a 'So-and-so was here' carving."

"Maybe even dance on the graves," Gao Xiang Hong chuckled.

"Xiang Hong, inside Hangu Pass there should be little danger—you can wander around, but don't go far. If you get into trouble, I won't be able to find you."

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou suggested Gao Xiang Hong take a stroll.

This place is filled with graves of immortal gods who fell in the earliest battlefields. Who knows? A casual walk might grant you fortune like the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian's. And crucially, you have an advantage—you're of the Primordial Realm bloodline, a true prodigy of the Primordial Realm. Your chance of receiving a legacy is high.

"You go, Senior. I'll stay here and guard the Sword Immortal."

Gao Xiang Hong didn't want to benefit alone—he proposed:

"How about this: we take turns guarding the Sword Immortal, each taking time to wander and see if we can get lucky like him."

…

Time passed slowly.

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou and Gao Xiang Hong waited for the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian to receive his legacy—for two full days and nights.

Over those two days, the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian's demeanor, aura, and presence underwent a transformation as profound as a cocoon becoming a butterfly—even his appearance changed.

His once snow-white hair turned black, his face youthful, brimming with vitality.

Had Gao Xiang Hong and the First Immortal of Jiuzhou not taken turns guarding him and witnessed the change firsthand, Gao Xiang Hong might have thought the old man had vanished, replaced by a young man.

Yet, from the contours of his face, it was unmistakably the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian—his radiance renewed, vitality replenished, hence the youthfulness.

If this trend continued, even if his cultivation stagnated, he could easily live another ten to twenty thousand years.

The Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian's transformation was seen by the First Immortal of Jiuzhou and Gao Xiang Hong, who rejoiced—he had received the master's legacy, advanced far along the Sword Dao path, and now stood on the brink of immortality.

Notably,

while guarding the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian, both the First Immortal of Jiuzhou and Gao Xiang Hong had also gained rewards.

Gao Xiang Hong received a legacy from an immortal god at one of the graves—his bloodline was further awakened, his strength surged forward, and in a single night he leapt from Life Realm Three to Life Realm Seven.

Had he not chosen to stabilize his realm instead of chasing too much too soon, he could have broken through all the way to Divine Step One.

He felt no regret—achieving Life Realm Seven was more than enough, for this was a solid, genuine Life Realm Seven, with unshakable foundations and residual legacy power still lingering in his body.

All he needed was time to slowly absorb it—soon, breaking through to Divine Step One would be no problem.

In fact, Gao Xiang Hong's gains, compared to those of the First Immortal of Jiuzhou and the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian, were the most visibly striking.

The First Immortal of Jiuzhou also gained a reward—a fragmented immortal weapon.

This treasure greatly aided him; after blood-binding it, not only did his lifespan extend, but he also gained divine techniques and insights from the immortal. If he could repair the immortal weapon, he would gain the immortal Dao itself—his path to immortality now lay within reach.

A great harvest.

All three returned fully laden.

…

On the third day,

the Heavenly Tian Xie Jian Xian awoke. He was no longer an old man with tied hair, but a young man with tied hair—his bearing like a sword, spirit bright, yet now carrying a faint, elusive loneliness. Look again, and the loneliness vanished—what remained was a world that embraced all.

With a light sweep of the broken sword, chaotic energy surged—as if earth, wind, water, and fire were gestating here, as if a world were about to be born.

"One sword, one world?" The First Immortal of Jiuzhou exclaimed in surprise, smiling. "Congratulations, Sword Immortal—your cultivation has advanced so astonishingly. It's clear you're destined for immortality."

Gao Xiang Hong's eyes flashed with brilliance repeatedly.

In the future, Senior Sword Immortal might be like Shuten-doji, able to create worlds with a wave of his hand and become a Creator God.

Then they walked out of Hangu Pass, notified the group owner, and borrowed the group owner's teleportation array to return to their respective worlds.